Totti... no case: A possible doping case against Roma striker Francesco Totti has been dropped, the FIGC said yesterday. A statement on FIGC's website said that its Federal Court of Justice had agreed to archive the case after a request from the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping unit. It gave no details of the possible offence committed by Totti but Italy's ANSA news service said the 31-year-old had been late for a routine doping test on May 13. His second child Chanel was born on this date, which may be a reason why he was late for the test.

Zheng Zhi: China will be without captain Zheng Zhi for World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar after his English club Charlton Athletic refused to release him for the match. Charlton manager Alan Pardew said: "I apologise to the Chinese federation that they will be without ZiZi for these qualifiers. I know he is an important player for his country, but he is also important for us, and I am sure China will be able to get the results they need from the two games without him."

Riquelme: Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme said he hoped his team could bury their unhappy memories of the Copa America as quickly as possible. Riquelme said a good performance in today's World Cup qualifier at home to Chile would be the best way to forget their 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Brazil in the Copa America final in July. "The public showed us great support," Riquelme said. "We dreamed of winning the cup and we didn't manage it. The public want Argentina to play well and win."

NZ soccer boost: The All Blacks' quarter-final exit from the Rugby World Cup continues to make waves in New Zealand with its top soccer team reporting an increase in membership numbers following the loss. Adam Brown, spokesman for Wellington Phoenix, who play in Australia's A League, said there had been a spike in membership after France beat New Zealand 20-18 in Cardiff. He said numbers in the supporters' club had been steady at about 3,500.

Women's World Cup: Australia has pulled out of the bidding to host the 2011 women's World Cup, leaving Canada, Germany and Peru as the remaining contenders to stage the event. FIFA said it had received a formal letter from the Australian football federation confirming the country's withdrawal.

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